Hoboken's Small Business Recovery Strategy includes flexible options to facilitate outdoor expansion by local businesses, and permits the following types of outdoor capacity expansion through an expedited approval process.
The application process provides general design guidelines for sidewalk cafes, stEATERIES, and parklets. Every application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to accommodate different locations and types of businesses.
Apply for a strEATERY
Apply for a Parklet
Restaurants must abide by the Outdoor Dining Protocols and Process to Expand Premises for Liquor License Holders outlined in the Governor's Executive Orders and New Jersey Department of Health Executive Directive.
Daily outdoor sidewalk cafes can extend hours of operation by one hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
Sidewalk cafes can expand area with or without barriers, so long as 6 feet of sidewalk width is maintained. Businesses can expand outdoor cafes to adjacent properties with the neighboring property owner’s consent.
Tables in the sidewalk cafe must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.
Apply for a Sidewalk Cafe
A sidewalk cafe is the outdoor eating space that is on the sidewalk and is directly associated with a restaurant or bar. Parklets and StrEATERIES are in the street and separate from this application process. See applications for parklets and strEATERIES below.
License Renewal
The license renewal process has been streamlined for this year and the fees have been waived. You only need to submit the completed application form, confirmation of insurance.
If you want to expand your café area beyond where it has been in past years, either further out into the sidewalk or in front of a neighboring business (as permitted by the COVID-19 business recovery ordinance) you will also need to provide the following:
Applicants who have not held a Sidewalk Café license previously must file a complete application and all of the required documents. The application must be accompanied by:
Questions? Please contact Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman at aholtzman@hobokennj.gov
If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your café area beyond what is already covered by your liquor license you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license. This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.
Your expansion of premises must be approved by theHoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.
Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org
Daily outdoor, shared public space that temporarily converts curbside parking spaces for outdoor dining where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.
Dining space must be separated from adjacent parking and travel lane using moveable safety barriers such as barricades, planters, bollards, or similar structures.
Tables in the strEATERY must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.
Apply for a new strEATERY
Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov
If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your capacity beyond what is already covered by your liquor license into a strEATERY or parklet you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license. This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.
Your expansion of premises must be approved by theHoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.
Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org
Seasonal outdoor, shared public space that temporarily converts curbside parking into a mini-park as a platform extension of the sidewalk. Parklets can be used for retail or outdoor dining where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.
Dining space must be enclosed from adjacent parking and travel lane using built-in safety barriers such as planters, benches, walls, railings, and bollards.
Tables in the Parklet must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.
Apply for a new Parklet
Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov
If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your capacity beyond what is already covered by your liquor license into a strEATERY or parklet you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license. This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.
Your expansion of premises must be approved by the Hoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.
Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org
Outdoor, shared public space that temporarily close up to 3 contiguous blocks of specific roadways on Sundays from 9 AM - 8 PM and Thursdays from 6 PM - 11 PM (schedule may change).
Open Streets expand outdoor seating capacity for businesses with additional space, as opposed to congregating or a “block party.” The City provides required police, sanitation, and barricades for scheduled road closures.
Open streets for business build off pilot open streets on Jefferson Street , Park Avenue, and Adams Street to facilitate additional socially distanced space for pedestrians for biking, walking and jogging.
Apply for an Open Street
Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov
Existing licensee must file for an "Event Permit Expansion of Premises" application for approval by the NJ State ABC. The area in which alcohol will be served/consumed must be gated from the rest of the open street. Security from the licensed establishment must secure the entry and exit of said area to ensure identifications are checked upon entry for legal age and liquor does not leave gated area.
Your expansion of premises must be approved by the Hoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.
Liquor License Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org
Retail businesses and services can use the area in front of their stores to display merchandise during business hours. Any new temporary signage associated with the retail use shall comply with the Zoning Code.
No application is required.
Sidewalk café fees are waived for 2020, and those with existing 2020 licenses will be credited in 2021.
The City is exploring various options with the Hoboken Business Alliance and other groups to help subsidize the cost of the streateries, parklets, and open streets.
